Fire-alarm system.



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J. G. NOLEN.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED snrr 24.1903.

4 PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

J. G. NOLEN.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24. 1903.

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/ No. 846,502. PATENTED MAR. 12, 1907.

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UNITED s A Es PATENT OFFICE.

TAMES G. NOLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF'TO FRANK B. COOK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 12,1907.

Application filed September 24, 1903. Serial No- 174,462.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES G. NOLEN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fire-Alarm Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention contemplates a fire-alarm system involving the combination of means for both electrically and pneumatically operating signal-transmitting mechanism in case of fire in the building where the si nal initiating and transmitting devices are ocated, the arrangement being such that a break in the circuits of the electrical signal-initiating devices, or even in the piping of the pneumatic apparatus for operating the signal-transmitting mechanism, Will cause the transnussion of a signal of a very differecharacter from that which is transmitted v the same mechanism when any of the sigr -..i -initiating I devices-are operated by fire.

My improved fire-alarm system therefore involves an arrangement whereby the same mechanism may be employed for supervising the piping of what is commonly known as a Ludlow system and also the wiring of what is commonly known as a Cook-Nolan system.

In the a c'lmpan g drawings, Figure 1 is a diagram illustratin a combined pneumatic and elect'ical fire-alarm system embodymg th principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagran: illustrating another method of combining the electrical circuits with the piping. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a front and a side elevation of the master-box" or signal-transmitting mechanism employed for supervising the wiring and transmitting the signals in the electrical portion of the system and also for super vising the piping of the pneumatic or other fluid-operated portion of the system, the said ma ter-box resembling an ordinary call-box 1 th in form and construction, and the casing 111 e: ch view being shown in section for the purpose of exposing the mechanlsm.

Referring to Fig. 1, my improved firealarm system comprises a system of piping A, which extends through the building to be protected and provided at different points with the signal-initiating devices B, These signai-iint-iating devices each compri e a flexible diaphragm b, which constitutes the lower wall of the box-like signal-initiating device and which carries a valve-plug 1), adapted normall to engage the valve-seat b thus closing t e outlet from the chamber 19 This chamber is partially filled with a volatile or ex losive liquid 1), adapted when subjected to eat to generate sufficient pressure in the chamber to cause an outward bulging of the diaphragm B and to thereby cause the valve-plug b to disengage the valveseat 6 and open the passage leading from the said chamber to the'pipin A. A swinging float b is mounted in t e chamber 1), and if this chamber contains the roper amount of liquid the said float norma 1 en ;ages the contact I); but if the li ui has partially evaporated said float then alls and o ens the electric switch, and this switch,

w ch consists of the float and its adjacent contact, is of course opened in a similar manner when the liquid is exploded or ra idly volatilized by heat in case of fire. T e means by which these signal-initiating devices B effect a transmission of a signa to a distant station consists, preferably, of a drop C and a spring-held trigger D, adapted to normally engage the escapement c of the call-box or signal-transmitting device E. Whenever one of the devices B is subjected to heat, the sudden generation of a pressure expands the air in the pi ing with sufiicient force to cause the drop 5, which, it will be observed, can be arranged directl in front of the mouth at the open end of t e pipe or in engagement with a flexible dia hragm 0 across such open mouth. to swing own and strike the up or end (1 of the trigger D. box E, which may be an ordinary call-box, is normally in a wound-up condition, and consequently its escapement 6 when thus released causes the well-known make-and-break device in this box E to transmit a signal over a circuit including the wires 6, 1, and 2, the circuit including the battery 3 at the distant central station and including also the relay 4. The recorder or signal-receiving device 5 can be of the usual and well-known Ct ws ruction and can be located in a local circuit including the local battery 6 and the contacts of the relay 4. When the box E produces a make-and-break action in this line-circuit, such make-and-break action is- The I s Wmm.. C

relay 4 to the local circuit, including the recorder or signal-receiving device 5.

It will be seen that the wires 1 and 2 are also connected with a second box F, which may be similar in construction to the box E, with the exception of a few additional parts, as will hereinafter appear. This box F is also connected with the shunt-wires 7 and 8, which, it will be observed, are preferably arranged to lead through the piping as much as possible and which include the aforedescribed switches, consisting of the floats l) and the contacts I), and which also include the thermostat-s or signal-initiating de ices G. These signal-initiating devices G are provided with contacts 9, which are normally soldered together, so as to provide a closed shunteireu1t around a magnet in the masterbox F, to be hereinafter described, and are also provided with additional contacts g, whereby when a thermostat is operated by the heat of the fire it opens the shunt-circuit and instantly thereafter closes such circuit. In this way the devices G when subjected to heat are capable of setting the normally wound-up clockwork in the box F in motion, so as to transmit a signal over the line-circuit to a distant central station, and are also capable of then instantly recloslng the shuntcircuit, and thereby maintaining the electrical continuity of the shunt, so as to make it available for use as a portion of a signaling circuit, which latter will also be hereinafter more fully described.

Whenever the liquid in one of the devices B falls below the proper level from any cause whatever, the float b opens the shuntcircuit and thereby causes the box F to transmit a signal to headquarters, and as the shunt when thus opened is not reclosed the signal is, as will hereinafter appear, of a distinct and radically different character from the signal which is transmitted when one of the thermostats G is operated. In this way the attendant at the distant or central station is enabled to supervise the system throughout and to detect not only breaks in the shunt-wires, but also breaks in the piping, and in addition the leakage or escape of the liquid from any of the devices B.

If desired, the piping can be combined with the wiring of the shunt, as shown in Fig. 2. In this case the difl'erent sections of the piping are connected with the couplings or joints through the. medium of insulation X, so as to prevent short-circuiting, and the shunt -wires are connected in series with these different pipe-sections. In this way the iping actually constitutes a portion of the s unt-circuit in which the thermostats G are located, and such being the case abreak .in the piping is sure to cause the transmission of a distinctive signal to the distant or central station.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the construction of the master-box F involves the usual crank-shaft f, upon which is mounted a clock-s ring f and a gear-wheelf-. This gear-whee meshes with a pinion f on another shaft, and this shaft is in turn connected by suitable gearing f" with the usual and well-known escapement f Normally the lower end of this escapement is engaged by a spring-held armature f adapted to be attracted and drawn downward by a magnet f The spring can be wound up by rotating the shaft f through the medium of the'usual crankf and when wound up this spring is capable of driving the clockwork, and thereby rotating the two contactavheelsf and f The wheel f 9 is insulated from the shaft 11 while the smaller wheel f is electrically connected with said shaft. A spring contact-finger normally engages a tooth on the periphery of the wheel f while a similar finger f normally engages a tooth on the periphery of the wheel f Both of these contact-fingers are insulated form the metallic framework of the structure, and a third and similarly-insulated contact-finger f is adapted to bear against the smooth back of the wheel f. A spring-held locking-lever f is adapted to engage and hold the armature f in a depressed iosition as soon as said armature is attracted by the energizing of the magnetf. The line-wire 1 leads 'to a binding-post I, which is electric- .ally connected with the metal casing and framework of the box, while the line-wire 2 leads to a bi'nding-postf, which is insulated from the casing of the box. The shunt-wire 7 also leads to the binding-postf", and the shunt-wire 8 leads to an insulated bindingpost f One terminal of the magnet f 7 1s connected with the spring contact-fin er while its other terminal is connected w1th the binding-post f. The fingerf is connected with the binding-post f and the finger f is connected with the binding-post f Thus it will be seen .that normally the magnet f constitutes part of the line-circuit in which the battery 3 is located and that for this reason it would remain normally energized were it not for the closed shunt of low resistance which extends around it and which consists of the shunt-wires 7 and 8, thermostats G, and the floatoperated switches in the devices B. Therefore it will be seen that normally the current traverses the shunt around the said magnet, thus keeping the said magnet normally denergized. Normally the clockwork at the box F is wound up and is maintained in such condition by reason of the armature f engaging the lower 'end of the escapement When a thermostat is operated, the saidshunt 1S momentarily broken, and the current of the line-circuit is then allowed momentarily to pass tlnougl'i. the magnetj, caus ng the armaturej to move downward, allowing the clockwork to rotate the wheels 7 andf Immediately upon the energizing of the magnet and the consequent downward movement of the said armature the lever f 15 engages said armature and holds it down away from the escapement, thereby allowing the clockwork to run down. It may be stated here that said clockwork always runs down, whether it befor the purposes of transmitting a fire-alarm or merely for the purpose of transmitting a signal indicating the presence of a break in the piping or in the shunt-circuit. As the thermostats close again immediately after opening the shunt-circuit, the shunt therefore remains intact, its electrical continuity is preserved, and it remains available for use as a portion of the circuit through which the make-and-break action produced by the wheel f 9 is transmitted through the line-cir cuit and employed to operate the relay 4. Thus in case of fire there is first a definite series of makes and breaks caused by the wheel 9 in the circuit including the shunt, and after this there is a further makeandbreak action produced in the line-circuit which does not include such shunt and which is caused by the wheel f but should a break occur in one of the shunt-wires or in the piping to such an extent to break the shunt then the magnet is energized and caused to release the clockwork, and the latter then transmits a signal through the line-circuit; but in this case the shunt is still open, and consequently the wheel f does not produce a signaling action, and the usual make-andbreak action in the line-circuit is produced by the wheel f There is a marked difference between a signal for fire and a signal which merely indicates a break in the shuntcircuit or a break in the piping and a conse quent break in the shunt-wiring. In this way .the attendant at the central station receives a signal -whenever fire occurs in any of the buildings in which the system is installed and also receives a signal whenever the system has been rendered inoperative at any point through the breaking of a shuntwire. In other words, the attendant has complete supervision over the entire system.

In order that it will not be necessary for the wheel f to transmit signals through the coils of the magnet f I provide a small or local shunt f which is normally open, but which is adapted to be closed by the engagement of the insulated piece of metal f when the latter engages the two contactsf. This insulated piece of metalf can be mounted on the arm f which swings with the main crank-shaft when the clockwork is released. In this way the resistance of the said magnetcoils is eliminated from the circuit through which the wheel f transmits a signal whether such signaling result from fire or from a break in the shunt-circuit. It will also be seen that the pinf on the arm f 22 is adapted to strike the upper end of the lever f and thereby cause the said lever to release the armature f at about the moment the clockwork reaches the limit of its-operation. In this way the box, as previously stated, is always allowed to fully run down, and in order to wind it up or to set it it is only necessary to rotate the crank-shaft in the usual and well-known manner, the armature f 6 being ready to catch and hold the escapement to prevent the clockwork from operating as soon as the mechanism is wound up and the crank-handle reaches the limit of its movement.

I claim as my invention 1. A. fire-alarm system comprising suitable piping, fluid-actuated signal-initiating devices connected with said piping, a signaltransmitting device adapted to be set in operation by the generation of pressure in the piping, a second signal-transmitting device, thermostats connected with said second signal-transmitting device, a battery and suitable circuit connections for normally maintaining a flow of current through said thermostats, and a signalreceiving apparatus suitably connected with both of said signaltransmitting devices, the circuit-connections being such that a break in the piping will cause a break in the circuit of said thermostats.

2. A fire-alarm system comprising suitable piping, a number of box-like signal-initiating devices connected with said piping, each of said signalinitiating devices having a fleXi ble diaphragm and a normally closed valve, the chamber of each box-like signal-initiating device containing a suitable quantity of volatile or explosive liquid, a normally closed float-operated switch in the chamber of each of said box-like signal-initiating devices, a signal-transmitting device adapted to be 0perated by the generation of pressure insaid piping, another signal-transmitting device, thermostats connected in series with said float-operated switches, said rheostats and switches being connected with said last-mentioned signal-transmitting device, suitable circuit connections, means for normally maintaining a flow of current through said switches and thermostats, and suitable signal-receiving apparatus connected with both of said signal-transmitting devices.

3. A fire-alarm system, comprising suitable piping, a number of boXlike signal-imtiating devices connected with said piping, each signal-initiating device being provided with a normally closed valve and a diaphragm for operating said valve, each of said s gnalinitiating devices containing also a su1table quantity of volatile or explosive liquid adapted when subjected to heat to cause said diaphragn. to open said valve, a normally closed float-operated switch in the chamber of each of said signal-initiating devices, a signal-transmitting device adapted to be set in operation by the operation of any one tem of piping provided with means for genofsaid signal-initiating devices and the concrating pressure therein on the application of sequent generation of pressure in the piping, heat to such means,anelectricalfire-alarmsys- 0 a second signal-transmitting device provided tom having thermostats capable of breaking with an electromagnet for releasing its northe normal path of the current and of main mally wound-up mechanism, a lo \v-resisttaining the electrical continuity of the circuit ance shunt extending around said magnet, after such break, signal-receiving apparatus,

a plurality of thermostats, said shunt includsuitable signal-transmitting devices, and suit- 5 ing said normally closed switches and therable means and circuit connections for normostats, a battery and suitable circuit conmally maintaining a flow of current through nections for normally maintaining a flow or said thermostats, the circuits of said thermocurrent through said switches and thcrmostats being to an extent identified with said stats, and a suitable signal-receiving appapiping, wherebyabreakin thepipingispracti- 5o ratus connected with both of said signal-transcally certain of producing a break in the cirmitting devices. cuit, and whereby the signal-receiving appa- 4. A fire-alarm system comprising suitable ratus and signal-transmitting devices may be piping, signal-initiating devices adapted to employed for not only producin fire-alarms generate pressure in said piping upon the applibut also for supervising both the dlectrical ap- 5 5 cation of heat thereto, a signal-transmitting paratus and the said piping. device adapted to be set in operation by the i 6. In a lire-alarm system, in combination, generation of pressure in said piping, another a piping system provided with means for signal-transmitting device involving an elecgenerating pressure therein when unduly tromagnet for releasing its normally woundheated, thermostatic switches operable to 60 up clockwork, and involving also means for I any undue amount of heat, electric signalproducing an electrical make-and-break actransmitting means associated with the thertion, a suitable number of thermostats, each mostats and piping system for actuation by thermostat being adapted when subjected the generation or pressure in the piping or to heat to open a circuit and then iminedioperation of the thermostatic switches, sig- 65 ately close the same, a shunt of low resistance extending around said magnet and including said thermostats, a battery and suitable circuit connections for normally maintaining a flow of current through said thermostats, and suitable signaLrecciving apparatus con.- nected with both of said signal-transn'iitting devices.

5. A fire-alarm system comprising a sysnalaesponsive apparatus, and suitable circuit connections including a source of currentsupply.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 21st day of September, 1903.

JAMES G. NOLEN. Vitnesses:

A. F. DURAND, WM. A. HARDENS. 

